La Liga – Tactical Analysis – Villarreal 1 Malaga 0

La Liga – Tactical Analysis – Villarreal 1 Malaga 0 [VIDEO]

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Villarreal have extended their unbeaten run to 11 games thanks to a 1-0 victory over Malaga at El Madrigal.

The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to Roberto Soldado’s fourth goal of the season and the visitors rarely threatened to peg back that lead, limited to just two shots on goal.

The first half an hour was played almost exclusively in Malaga’s half. A defensive mistake within the first two minutes almost handed Villarreal the lead but Carlos Kameni made a smart stop down to his right to keep Soldado at bay.

From that point on, Los Boquerones struggled to get a foothold in the game and were reduced to long ball football.

Fernando Tissone had the visitors’ first shot of the match but it sailed harmlessly wide of the post before Soldado would break the deadlock.

Denis Suarez began the move, attempting a deft chip into the path of Leo Baptistao. Although the dink was cut out, Suarez got on the end of the rebound, played the ball to the feet of Soldado whose one-two with Baptistao created enough room for the Spaniard to shoot. Kameni could only parry the ball into the net.

Both goalkeeper and striker knew they should have done better as evidenced by the look on their respective faces.

Kameni made up for his blushes with another save against an onrushing Jonathon Dos Santos just moments later.

The away side would have the last opportunity of the first half when one of its long balls was successfully knocked down into the path of Duje Cop but with only Alphonse Areola to beat in the Villarreal goal, he could not manage a proper connection and the ball was scrambled away.

The second half played out as a more muted version of the first with the home side being on top throughout but unable to make any improvements on the scoreline.

Malaga threatened late in the piece but could not beat a resolute Villarreal defence as the win puts the Yellow Submarine 11 points ahead of fifth-placed Sevilla.

Formations

There was only one surprise in Marcelino’s first choice XI for Villarreal with Baptistao getting his first start since October up front in place of Cedric Bakambu. Mateo Musacchio shook off a potential injury knock picked up against Bilbao last time out to take his place in the heart of defence next to Victor Ruiz.

Villarreal XI (4-4-2): Areola (GK); Costa, Musacchio, Ruiz, Mario; Suarez, Trigueros, Bruno, Dos Santos; Baptistao, Soldado.

Malaga made four changes in search of a third successive league win. In defence, Raul Albentosa and Weligton came in in place of Artur Boka and Egor Filipenko, while further forward, Tissone and Pablo Fornals came in for the injured Christian Atsu and the suspended Recio.

Malaga XI (4-4-2): Kameni (GK); Torres, Weligton, Albentosa, Rosales; Fornals, Tissone, Camacho, Anor; Cop, Charles.

Villarreal defended from the front

From the outset, Villarreal nullified any threat posed to them by the visitors and it was achieved on the hard work and running of Soldado, Baptistao, and later Bakambu.

The three forwards defended from the front line, making Malaga uncomfortable in possession in their own half and limiting the away side to long balls.

Soldado in particular worked ever so hard with his passion and determination, meaning the former Spanish international chased down every ball and cut off every passing line he could.

It was not just in attack that you found Soldado as he was constantly dropping deep to help his midfield turn over possession so that the home team could break.

Bakambu replaced Soldado in the 75th minute and picked up where his brethren left off with his injection of pace causing a clearly tired Malaga defensive line even more problems.

Baptistao, on his return to first team football, will have pleased his manager with his output as, while not the quickest or the most nimble of forwards, he moved well to cover a half of the field that Soldado could not.

Between the three of them, they completed three tackles and one block but it was their all-round movement that caused the visitors so many problems.

Soldado, Baptistao, Bakambu Heat Map
Soldado, Baptistao, Bakambu heat map (Squawka)

Ruiz and Musacchio unbreakable in defence

Since returning from injury, Musacchio has been arguably Villarreal’s best performer. Against Malaga, he was again in the top echelon but may have even been outshined by his defensive partner Ruiz.

The two have built such an understanding of Ruiz pushing and Musacchio holding that they almost seem like an impenetrable line in defence. Add in the always improving Alphonse Areola in goal and it comes as no surprise that Villarreal have only conceded four goals in their last 11 matches.

Ruiz and Musacchio had an answer for anything thrown at them by the visitors. Between the two of them, they kept Charles and Cop to just three shots, and only two take-ons, both failed.

The Villarreal defensive pair had a pass accuracy rating of 84%, won 60% of their aerial duels, made 12 interceptions and nine clearances.

It could be argued at this point in time there is no more settled or intimidating defensive pair than that which resides at El Madrigal. 

Conclusion

Despite only scoring the one goal, Marcelino will be exceptionally happy with the overall team performance. While it was a goalkeeping error that allowed that goal, if it were not for some of Kameni’s other stops, this match could have blown out.

The manager will be happy to see Soldado on the scoresheet and when looking at the league table, baring any massive drops in form, should be seeing fourth place sewn up for the season.

Malaga will be disappointed with their showing. Having won their previous two matches, this match showed that they are not to the level of either the top teams, or the next best, a group which includes Villarreal.

Such poor execution will frustrate Javi Garcia and while it is unlikely Malaga will slip too far down the table, he will need a response from his players to avoid dropping to being a lower midtable team.

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